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Star Style: Shauna Llewellyn

Jess — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:37:15 +0000

Shauna is a incredible makeup artist with over 10 years experience and a skin care guru who dares to push the current trends. Not only is she Jully’ Black’s go-to-beauty girl, but she’s worked for cosmetic leaders including Cargo, Makeup Forever, Fashion Fair, Chanel, YSL, and Guerlain. Not to mention over 100 music videos, T.V, Film and commercial ads under her brush belt.

Shauna’s approach to make-up is skin care first and foremost, and with many of us caking-on makeup to cover any little flaw, little attention is paid to proper skin care. Shauna shared some of her beauty secrets at our Jully Black shoot, and you should know too.

Shauna’s advice:

- Moisturize, moisturize and did I say Moisturize! Because of the harsh weather conditions we live in, it’s very important to drink lot’s of water. Your skin will reflect it; skin care makes the makeup look good and not the other way around.

- When buying skin products always make sure to check for the expiry date, you don’t want to be using products that are not fit for your skin.

-When it comes to makeup, less is more! Too much makeup doesn’t sit well and you won’t look any better.

- Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new colours. Try mixing two lipsticks that you normally don’t wear and you might end up with your new favourite shade.

Star Style: Peter Papapetrou

Jess — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:39:33 +0000

Peter is a star stylist, beautifying clients such as Hillary Duff, Oscar winner Javier Bardem, and Michael Buble. But Mr. Papapetrou is also one of Canada’s leading stylists and creative directors. Peter has styled Jully Black for over 10 years, and with a smile they both describe their relationship as ‘meant to be.’

Funny, charming and real, it’s no wonder Peter has a career filled with impressive credentials. He began working as a visual merchandiser for Emporio Armani and is responsible for bringing to life creative concepts for numerous Canadian designers and brands such as Izzy Camilleri and Evan Biddell. Peter’s expertise has also extended to international runways, where he has worked with Giambattista Valli on his shows in Florence and Paris for five seasons.

With a fierce personal sense of style, Peter knows fashion and you’d be wise to listen to what he has to say.

Peter’s 3 Tips for everyday styling:

1-Always accent you best feature.
2. Don’t fight what you have, make it work!
3. Experiment with style- dont get comfortable with the same look. Fashion evolves, so should you.

The Evolution of Jully Black

Andrea — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:47:54 +0000

It all started in November 1977 on a dark cold day in Toronto. A booming light came into this world with a voice and presence that would forever change the gloom of those winter days. Since then Jully Black has been climbing to her highest highs as Canada’s reigning R&B Queen.

Discovering her powerful alto voice at just six, Jully then began her musical journey. Working her way through the industry, she scored her first Top 40 hit with Rally’n, collaborations with Sean-ah Paul and infamous Canadian rappers Choclair and Kardinall Offishall. This girl, at only 20 years old, was on a roll. She had Destiny’s Child and Nas singing her melodies and lyrics.

Naturally, big-time labels like Warner and Chappell were also paying attention to the Canadian up and comer. Universal Music Canada quickly took notice of the homegrown talent and signed Jully in 2005. Her first album, entitled This is Me, yielded the super hits Sweat of Your Brow and 5x Love.

With no signs of stopping, her catchy single Seven Day Fool reached Top 10 status in 2007. Following closely behind this milestone her sophomore album Revival was released in 2008. Her most recent album, The Black Book, came out in 2009 and the song Running was unveiled.

Last February Jully had possibly one of Canada’s finest honours and performed at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC. As if that wasn’t enough, she toured with Kanye West (I REPEAT: Kanye West) in Singapore and headlined Canada Day at Trafalgar Square in London, England. The girl sang for the Queen. The QUEEN of England. Kanye and the Queen in one year, whoa baby.

I’m not even going to get into her television persona with eTalk.

Two words: Jay-Z interview. Ahem.

Her next album 8ight is going to be released soon, and this, my dear babes, is just one more step on the way to Jully Black reaching her highest heights.

To hear Jully belt her ballads and rock her rhythms visit www.jullyblack.com.

Photography by Diego Di Mora

Interview: Jully Black

Safra — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:24:19 +0000

Jully Black. Talented. Collected. Wise. You can laugh and cry with her, and she’s not afraid to open up about some of the intimate details of her life, which is refreshing for a celebrity of her caliber. Actually, if she likes you, consider yourself part of her team. “Girl, stay in touch,” she tells me after the interview, just like old friends parting ways.
While most artists succumb to the polished Barbie approach, Ms. Black is quite the opposite. She doesn’t come off as scandalous and speaks with conviction. At a time where artists gain notoriety for being outspoken and ostentatious, Ms. Black’s style conveys a deep connection with her art. She owns it without needing to prove something a-la Kanye. That’s what makes Jully Black special.

Please tell us about your upcoming album 8ight.
About a month ago I thought I was done writing but we got inspired and wrote four more songs- me and my co-producer and writer, YoungPete Alexander. I’m sure some are gonna get bumped off the eight I already have. Eight signifies the infinite possibilities. It’s a very important number in my life and being the eighth child of nine, I often say I’m the youngest because my twin brother passed away but I was actually born eighth.
This record is very much an expression of love and life. Right now, I’m being particular and I feel like being a story teller, talking about relationships and standing by your man; various things. I realize that even singing the song Seven Day Fool was about standing by your man- that’s basically what it was.

Actually, it’s interesting when you mention Seven Day Fool. Coming from a Caribbean background, do you consider yourself to be a traditional woman when it comes to relationships?
I think I ride the fence, and that didn’t just happen over the years. I would say in my younger days- in my 20s-I was a little more traditional. I say that because I put everything on blast; that’s who I am. My mom said to me ‘if your dad didn’t leave, I wouldn’t have left him.’ My mom went through a lot with him, but for better or worse, she would’ve stayed. We’re products of our upbringing, so I went through a phase of being a serial monogamist. I think you have to know when it’s non-negotiable and when enough is enough.

Do you think that there’s disconnect between men and women when it comes to relationships as a whole?
This is what think, and it could be crazy but I think that life expectancy was way less back in the day, so people got married young, had children young, died young, period. Now we’re living triple the amount and with triple the temptation. I think our men are challenged more than ever. It’s like a kid in a candy factory or a mandarin buffet. Women are everywhere. Women that will do whatever it takes to have a man, get that job, or get in that video. In corporate entertainment there are women that will do whatever it takes; and then I lean on what my mom always says “the good will suffer for the bad.” I think that monogamy does exist, but I think it’s fading, unfortunately.

There are lots of single ladies who are down on themselves when it comes to careers and relationships. What advice do you have for them?
I think it’s important to take time to get to know yourself through your history. Since last June, I kid you not; I’ve become very aware of my family cycle and the woman I’m becoming. I realize the woman I’m becoming is the woman I’ve already met in my family somewhere. I had to learn to be comfortable with that and get in touch with my true identity; I realize too, that my career was getting way too much focus. I was focusing on what I was becoming rather than who I already am. Who I am supposed to be is not limited to entertainment.

Some people say, “I’m a nurse” or “I’m a doctor” – that’s just what they do. It took a pilot that I sat beside to show me otherwise-I got an upgrade on a flight, and I say that specifically because it’s not like I fly first class all the time. I took out my bible to read some scripture before take off, and he said to me “Oh wow, you have your bible. I have mine too.” We started to talk and joke and I asked him how it felt to be a pilot, how long it took him and a whole bunch of questions. This is what he said, “I fly planes but I’m not defined by being a pilot, I wear the uniform but it doesn’t define me.” I had an Ah-ha moment with my career, because I wear this voice, I wear this image but it doesn’t define me. I had to start digging deep to find out who Jully Ann really is? Who are you? What is your purpose on this earth? You’ll know what’s meaningful and what your purpose is; it’s something you feel and not something that anybody can tell you. You got to start making it your daily assignment to find something to better yourself.
Do something that makes you feel good and takes you one-step closer to the ‘who’ rather than the ‘what.’ That’s what I would say.
You’ve accomplished so many things like singing for the Queen when she came to Canada. In your eyes does it get much higher than that? Have you reached your height or are you still climbing?
That’s a very good question. I think that whatever that highest point is, if I got to it than I have to buy my plot, jump in, lay down and call it a day because it’s about the journey. . As young as I am, I feel like an ambassador to Canadian urban artists. I feel there was a foundation laid and the boom is way easier now. Am I already there-highest height? I don’t really know! I’ve been signed, unsigned, re-signed. I’m on TV, radio, this and that but I had to really take it back in and say ‘wow.’ My needs are met, I own a home and I just bought my mom a home. I look at where I’ve come and that’s the greatest accomplishment than accolades and stuff. Okay awards are great, I’m not saying I don’t want them but I’d rather know that my voice has some type of power and influence to make change.
I started 16 years ago and I want to make sure I have the power of say, maintain my humility, and congratulate the next generation without jealousy or animosity. That’s the higher height that I’m trying to get to. If Melanie [Fiona] does well or Drake, it’s a win. I want to do my best to continue to promote. Go get it, let’s go get it. So we can all be at the level of Shania [Twain] and Nickleback and Nelly Furtado. That’s what I look forward to seeing for urban music from Canada. Whatever I can do to continue to that goal, that’s the height I’m trying to reach.
Jully is our first BHD feature woman because she knows there’s a purpose to all of us. She’s been reaching high heights since 16 and enjoying the journey, appreciating the people who have stayed by her side, and loving and owning her art with a whole heart. Thanks Jully for helping us reach our high.
Xo,
BHD

Stylist: Peter Papapetrou
Makeup Artist: Shauna Llewellyn
Hair Stylist: Ryan Reed
Green Dress & Black Dress: Greta Constantine
Shoes: Fendi
Photography by Diego Di Mora

Our photoshoot with Miss Jully Black (@Jullyblack !!!)

krissy — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:41:16 +0000

Saturday we had the pleasure to shoot the lovely Jully Black for our upcoming project – Higher Heights. It was such an honor to have her participate, she was everything we expected and more. AHMAZING ! This was our first shoot, the team executed it all beautifully. Thank you to Diego our photographer (www.Dimora.ca), The BHD girls that were in the house, JB Glam Squad and last but not least Jully Black for making this all happen. If you have never met Jully Black before, she is a sweetheart, she is not on no DIVA ish, she’s a professional, a talented artist and did we mention she has a BANGING BODY ! We’ve got tons of great stuff with her coming up, look out ! Word on the street is “Crown Me” is the name of her new song, and we’re going to debut it for you in a few days.

Saturday was purely magical watching a dream come to life, seeing that The Broken Heel Diaries was taking its first step. I was overwhelmed at how far having a great team can take your vision.

Can’t wait to share the images, and the new project with you. It’s going to be a fun ride – buckle up.

Follow Jully Black on twitter @JullyBlack or check out her website www.JullyBlack.com

These shoes were made for watching…

Andrea — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:43:13 +0000

On November 9, 2010, the Bata Shoe Museum unveiled their new exhibit: Juno Sole. Of course BHD was there! The exhibit featured the shoes worn by rad Canadian artists over the past four decades. Whether worn during a live performance, in a music video, on their wedding day or at the JUNO Awards broadcast, the exhibit gives a sneak-peek into these celeb’s taste and lifestyle.

From Nelly Furtado’s thigh-highs to Avril Lavigne’s Chuck Taylors and Jully Black’s Manolo’s, it was a sight to be seen. Even Nickback, Canada’s most successful band we all love to hate has boots on display.

Check out a short clip of the ribbon cutting ceremony

Imagine walking a mile in these shoes? We’d love to.

The Juno Sole exhibit is on display from today, November 10, 2010 until November 30, 2010 at the Bata Shoe Museum. Admission is $14 for adults and $8 for students – if you check it out on Thursday evenings between 5pm and 8pm it’s F-R-E-E. Score, save those dollars for your next pair of stilettos, girlfriends.

If you could be a shoe, whose would you choose? (More pics to come, my camera is acting up)

A foursome of trend and taste from Our Lady Peace.

Our girl Jully Black’s sky-high gold Manolo Blahniks.

Punk-rock Avril can totally be our girlfriend – and Brody Jenner’s too, we guess.

It’s hard not to get excited with these displays…